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What audio interface do you use??

I was using a hercules DJ console. It's a piece of shit.

If you're going to record any dynamic instrument shoot for 24/96. Probably a 4 out 2 in would be suitable for a laptop. Don't go usb or you're always limited to 2 inputs or 2 outputs at 24/96, and only 4 in 4 out at 16b/44khz.

I would probably say the Echo Audiofire2 would be okay, and get a small dedicated mono pre-amp like the art MP series. Hook up the balanced output to the balanced input on the echo and you're golden.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHAUDIOFIRE2
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ART127
http://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTV3

The preamps won't sound GREAT but they'll be way better quality than what you'd get on board.

If you want it a bit more integrated/more inputs and outputs, then something like the Audiofire 6 would be keen. But unless you're interfacing with home recording gear you just don't need those outputs.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ECHAUDIOFIRE4

If you don't need 24/96 and you don't need to record, just download ASIO4ALL and install that and use your laptops soundcard. It's a bit noisy, but I'd say it's not worth getting a serious interface unless you need high quality recording, or really want to work in 24/96+

It's not worth getting a serious interface unless you need high quality recording, or really want to work in 24/96+

... or unless you want to record things through midi with a keyboard etc... the latency times on internal sound cards suck, so there'll be a big difference from when you hit a key to when you actually here the note play...

I use an M-Audio Quattro USB interface, though it was just an ill-thought-out impulse buy at the time. I actually like it just because it was relatively cheap and had an ok amount of I/O, though when it came out, the drivers sucked and wouldn't work properly with hardly any software... probably stuff like this that gave USB a bad rep, in addition to what's been stated in the thread already. It's gotten better, but there is still certain software that just doesn't want to work right with it...

Firewire or maybe one of the PCMCIA Echo cards is probably the way to go... It's also nice when the interface is powered by whatever you have it plugged into instead of having to lug around an extra power supply

im using the http://www.dv247.com/invt/24170/ m audio firewire solo...its ok does the job...and is relitivly cheap also no power supply needed.. i might upgrade it to somthing with more inputs eventualy when i have some more cash but i dont actually need anything more right now..doing the job fine, no latency problems ne more
Bo!

I've got the Edirol FA-101 which is a 10-in 10-out 24bit 96k Firewire interface. I use mine at 24bit and 44.1kHz. They are pretty cheap, I got mine mail-order from bhphotoaudio i think they are in NYC. The USA voltage power supply didn't matter as they will power up from any 6-pin Firewire interface.

"... or unless you want to record things through midi with a keyboard etc... the latency times on internal sound cards suck, so there'll be a big difference from when you hit a key to when you actually here the note play..."

That's not true.

The delay experienced is caused by the drivers sending messages through the Kernel, which in turn sends messages to the sound card. Any decent soundcard will come with ASIO drivers (Audio Stream Input/Output) which interfaces directly with the soundcard, reducing latency. Now, your laptop won't come with ASIO drivers, but http://www.asio4all.com/ drivers from there can get you under 10ms (w/o much of a buffer). Around 13ms buffer is safe if you've got a good pc. There you go - ASIO for your cards that don't come with it.

I'm just using a soundblaster live to make beats now cause I sold all my other soundcards. I'll be looking at a 24/96 silent, balanced interface shortly myself.

I just posted this in a different thread...

I have a studio and a laptop. For the laptop, I use an Emu 0404 USB (Mac drivers since I'm using a Macbook).

In the studio I'm running an original MOTU 828 Firewire interface and a MOTU 2408 that is used as a format converter for the ADAT lightpipe in and out of the 828. This gives me 16 analog channels in and out to the board.

I would like point out that the 2408 as a format converter is complete shit.

http://www.asio4all.com/ drivers from there can get you under 10ms (w/o much of a buffer). Around 13ms buffer is safe if you've got a good pc.

cheers, good tip.

M-Audio FireBox, and I recommend it if it will work in your rig.

http://www.presonus.com/firebox.html

metric halo 2882+DSP; amazing, but mac-only.